Will you take a moment with me and think of this scenario? You are outside on a dark, rainy gloomy day. You are standing there while the rain is hitting you in the face, your hair, and your clothes. You’re cold and there’s nowhere to go for shelter. But then something yellow catches your eye. Then all of a sudden a beautiful bright yellow umbrella appears over your head.
Many of you are going through a tough season and you feel like you’re standing in that rain today. Maybe you’ve been in it for months, or weeks, or just today. It is my prayer that this group and the woman here will be like a yellow umbrella to you today by giving you what is says in The Worn Out Woman: a little praise, a little encouragement, and doing a little act of thoughtfulness.
Annie Engstrom said, “Kindness is a yellow umbrella covering the rainy days of life.”
But I want to take this a step further and tell you that God offers that umbrella to you the moment you chose to follow Him and it is there for you everyday. In Psalms 91:1,2,4 it reads, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’…He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."
Being under His wings is an umbrella that will never leave you. Ask yourself this question: do you have that umbrella? If not, you can have it today. All you have to do is ask.
Blessings,
Lisa
Opening Remarks for today's topic meeting
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
What's your birth story?
Having a baby is the most wonderful thing a woman can do. There is nothing like the feeling of a new life growing inside of you, sensing its development as the weeks go by, marveling at its strength when it kicks in the middle of the night.
And then there is the pure pleasure of preparation. What is more satisfying than creating your new baby’s room, choosing sheets and blankets, and picking out darling little outfits? It is the one time we can indulge all our pure nesting instincts.
That’s the fun side of pregnancy. Then there’s the other side.
Sit around with a bunch of mothers, and you will hear it all. Mothers love to recite their pregnancy and birthing stories. I guess it has something to do with the fact that mothers have been to a place where only they can go. In spite of all the obvious similarities in the stories, each one still seems unique. Like veterans of an armed conflict, we are a band of sisters with one common theme. These are our battle stories.
We listen to each other in amazement, we compare notes, and we shake our heads in wonder. There is the tale of the thirty-six hour labor, the classic story of the birth in the back of the cab. Even when you feel you have heard them all, you still listen with respect. These stories are important. They need to be told.
Because I have four children of my own, have taught Lamaze classes, and have been a birth coach. I know many stories, all very different. I would love to tell them here. All of them, but of course I can’t-maybe that will be another book.
What I can tell you is that everything you have heard is true. Some women do crave pickles and ice cream; some crave tomatoes and sauerkraut. Others would kill for a steak. Some cry ten times a day; others eat twelve times. Occasionally, there is even a woman who never had a single problem, who loved every minute of the whole nine months. We know she is lying.
Most of us can say with certainty that no one has ever had bigger stretch marks. And when is comes time for delivery, in spite of all our best intentions, many rational women do want drugs. In the transitional phase of labor, we do blame our husbands for everything and say bad words we have never said before. And we even, quite rationally; refuse to have the baby, just about the time the baby is coming out.
Why do we go through these things gladly, even thankfully? For the reward at the end, of course. For the sheer bliss that comes when our baby is at last wrapped and delivered into our arms. For the moment when we can lean down and kiss that downy forehead and smell the sweetness of our newborn child.
If you are a newly expectant mother, don’t worry. Everything that is happening to you is normal. Crazy as it sounds, it all makes perfect sense. Just go with the flow. That baby is running the show. It knows what it needs and it is trusting you to get it there.
And if you are an old pro at the business of childbirth, lend an ear. Listen and sympathize; reassure your young friend. Share your own story, if you think it will help.
After all, we are all in this together.
Excerpt from The Quotable Mom edited by Kate Rowinski
What's your birth story?
Lisa
And then there is the pure pleasure of preparation. What is more satisfying than creating your new baby’s room, choosing sheets and blankets, and picking out darling little outfits? It is the one time we can indulge all our pure nesting instincts.
That’s the fun side of pregnancy. Then there’s the other side.
Sit around with a bunch of mothers, and you will hear it all. Mothers love to recite their pregnancy and birthing stories. I guess it has something to do with the fact that mothers have been to a place where only they can go. In spite of all the obvious similarities in the stories, each one still seems unique. Like veterans of an armed conflict, we are a band of sisters with one common theme. These are our battle stories.
We listen to each other in amazement, we compare notes, and we shake our heads in wonder. There is the tale of the thirty-six hour labor, the classic story of the birth in the back of the cab. Even when you feel you have heard them all, you still listen with respect. These stories are important. They need to be told.
Because I have four children of my own, have taught Lamaze classes, and have been a birth coach. I know many stories, all very different. I would love to tell them here. All of them, but of course I can’t-maybe that will be another book.
What I can tell you is that everything you have heard is true. Some women do crave pickles and ice cream; some crave tomatoes and sauerkraut. Others would kill for a steak. Some cry ten times a day; others eat twelve times. Occasionally, there is even a woman who never had a single problem, who loved every minute of the whole nine months. We know she is lying.
Most of us can say with certainty that no one has ever had bigger stretch marks. And when is comes time for delivery, in spite of all our best intentions, many rational women do want drugs. In the transitional phase of labor, we do blame our husbands for everything and say bad words we have never said before. And we even, quite rationally; refuse to have the baby, just about the time the baby is coming out.
Why do we go through these things gladly, even thankfully? For the reward at the end, of course. For the sheer bliss that comes when our baby is at last wrapped and delivered into our arms. For the moment when we can lean down and kiss that downy forehead and smell the sweetness of our newborn child.
If you are a newly expectant mother, don’t worry. Everything that is happening to you is normal. Crazy as it sounds, it all makes perfect sense. Just go with the flow. That baby is running the show. It knows what it needs and it is trusting you to get it there.
And if you are an old pro at the business of childbirth, lend an ear. Listen and sympathize; reassure your young friend. Share your own story, if you think it will help.
After all, we are all in this together.
Excerpt from The Quotable Mom edited by Kate Rowinski
What's your birth story?
Lisa
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
What's new in January!
"Yes, Mother, I see that you are flawed. You have not hidden it. That is your greatest gift to me." Alice Walker, Possessing The Secret of Joy
Tuesday, January 11 Topic Meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the Mace building, room 109 from 9:45-11:45 AM for a time of brunch, discussion, and prayer. Childcare is provided!
Care Circles are discussing the book, The Worn Out Woman, When Your Life is Full and Your Spirit is Empty by Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray.
Tuesday, January 25 Topic Meeting- Join us for a time of brunch, discussion, and prayer from 9:45-11:45 AM at Bethel Assembly of God, Mace building, rm 109.
Many great activities are being planned for this Spring Semester coming up. Be sure to pick up your schedule at our next meeting. Thank you for all who come and participate in this group. You make it a great place to find friendship, support, and encouragement!
Lisa
Tuesday, January 11 Topic Meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the Mace building, room 109 from 9:45-11:45 AM for a time of brunch, discussion, and prayer. Childcare is provided!
Care Circles are discussing the book, The Worn Out Woman, When Your Life is Full and Your Spirit is Empty by Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray.
Tuesday, January 25 Topic Meeting- Join us for a time of brunch, discussion, and prayer from 9:45-11:45 AM at Bethel Assembly of God, Mace building, rm 109.
Many great activities are being planned for this Spring Semester coming up. Be sure to pick up your schedule at our next meeting. Thank you for all who come and participate in this group. You make it a great place to find friendship, support, and encouragement!
Lisa
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Getting to Know...Tanya Clemons
This year, I have the pleasure of being in Tanya Clemon's care circle in Mom's Connection. She is a very sweet lady. She is a very busy woman and she amazes me with everything that she is able to accomplish in just one day out of any given week. No matter how busy she is though she never fails to make time for her family and friends. She is a great listener and has a sympathetic ear. I feel blessed to have such a great friend in my life and I feel honored to be able to feature her this month.
Tanya and her husband Darrion have been married for ten years. She has known him her entire life. She said, "He was the pesky guy whom my dad loved to talk to at the fair each year. It wasn’t until he approached me about buying my show cattle at the Berkeley County Fair in 1999 that I even considered dating him. A week later my Dad and I delivered the cattle to his farm and he ask me out…the rest is history!!"
They have four children; Chloe (6), Cole (4), Camrie(2), and Calah(8 months).
Her hobbies and interests include working on the farm and gardening. She said, "Everyday is a new adventure!" She loves watching her kids enjoy farm life and watching them grow up in this setting. Her favorite music is Christian and Southern Gospel. Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin are her favorites.
Tanya's favorite thing about Mom's Connection is ,"Being with other moms who love the Lord. They are so uplifting and have the same problems I have….CHILDREN!! Just kidding!!! I really enjoy learning from other moms and it really helps me be a better mom when I get a break to focus on myself."
I asked Tanya what a relationship with the Lord means to her and she responded," EVERYTHING!! Jesus is my rock. He is the one who gives me rest when I’m weary. The one I tell everything to, my joys, my hopes, my concerns and my burdens. He is faithful and trustworthy. He is never bothered at how many times I call him a day, or too busy to talk. He is not offended that I raise my voice, brag to much about my kids or complain often. He loves me just as I am with all the blemishes that I am trying to get rid of!! Jesus is my daily bread, he is my constant. He is more than enough for me!!
Her favorite chapter of the Bible is Romans 12. She said, "It starts off by telling how to live and then goes on to talk about love. Love is where it is, without love we are nothing except miserable ladies."
Tina Burton
Tanya and her husband Darrion have been married for ten years. She has known him her entire life. She said, "He was the pesky guy whom my dad loved to talk to at the fair each year. It wasn’t until he approached me about buying my show cattle at the Berkeley County Fair in 1999 that I even considered dating him. A week later my Dad and I delivered the cattle to his farm and he ask me out…the rest is history!!"
They have four children; Chloe (6), Cole (4), Camrie(2), and Calah(8 months).
Her hobbies and interests include working on the farm and gardening. She said, "Everyday is a new adventure!" She loves watching her kids enjoy farm life and watching them grow up in this setting. Her favorite music is Christian and Southern Gospel. Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin are her favorites.
Tanya's favorite thing about Mom's Connection is ,"Being with other moms who love the Lord. They are so uplifting and have the same problems I have….CHILDREN!! Just kidding!!! I really enjoy learning from other moms and it really helps me be a better mom when I get a break to focus on myself."
I asked Tanya what a relationship with the Lord means to her and she responded," EVERYTHING!! Jesus is my rock. He is the one who gives me rest when I’m weary. The one I tell everything to, my joys, my hopes, my concerns and my burdens. He is faithful and trustworthy. He is never bothered at how many times I call him a day, or too busy to talk. He is not offended that I raise my voice, brag to much about my kids or complain often. He loves me just as I am with all the blemishes that I am trying to get rid of!! Jesus is my daily bread, he is my constant. He is more than enough for me!!
Her favorite chapter of the Bible is Romans 12. She said, "It starts off by telling how to live and then goes on to talk about love. Love is where it is, without love we are nothing except miserable ladies."
Tina Burton
Monday, January 3, 2011
Looking back briefly, then moving on...
I’ll be completely honest. I’m glad to see 2010 gone. It wasn’t a great year. It was tough. However, as I look back over it, I’m thankful to see that I was not alone.
In every hard-pressed situation, I recall the hand of God. He intervened in a strained friendship and renewed it. He gave me the strength to do the things I had to even when I wanted to run away. He touched every bill that somehow I was able to pay it. He blessed me over and over again which enabled me to bless others. I would not have gotten through the year without His Presence!
During the last week of the year, I was reading in Exodus about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promise land. Israel was a stiff-necked people who after seeing all the miracles in Egypt, the Red Sea parted, and manna from heaven, they still turned from God and worshipped a golden calf. God had every right to be angry and said, “go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way” (Ex. 33:3). But Moses said to the LORD, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?” (Ex. 33:15).
Before moving on into the New Year, I repeated the words of Moses and said, “Lord, if your Presence does not go with me, do not send me up from here!” I don’t want to go anywhere without the Lord’s Presence. I couldn’t do it without Him in 2010 and I know I can’t in 2011!
May the Lord’s Presence go with you as well!
Blessings,
Lisa
In every hard-pressed situation, I recall the hand of God. He intervened in a strained friendship and renewed it. He gave me the strength to do the things I had to even when I wanted to run away. He touched every bill that somehow I was able to pay it. He blessed me over and over again which enabled me to bless others. I would not have gotten through the year without His Presence!
During the last week of the year, I was reading in Exodus about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promise land. Israel was a stiff-necked people who after seeing all the miracles in Egypt, the Red Sea parted, and manna from heaven, they still turned from God and worshipped a golden calf. God had every right to be angry and said, “go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way” (Ex. 33:3). But Moses said to the LORD, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?” (Ex. 33:15).
Before moving on into the New Year, I repeated the words of Moses and said, “Lord, if your Presence does not go with me, do not send me up from here!” I don’t want to go anywhere without the Lord’s Presence. I couldn’t do it without Him in 2010 and I know I can’t in 2011!
May the Lord’s Presence go with you as well!
Blessings,
Lisa
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year!
Let's look forward to 2011!
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
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